Curtain-stretcher.



J. J. HANSEN.

CURTAIN STRETGHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, 1912.

Patented-Jan. 7, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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JOHN J. HANSEN, or PARKSTON, scorn DAKOTA.

CURTAIN -S TRETCI-IER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. '2, 1913.

Application filed May 7, 1912. Serial No. 695,767.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN J. Hansen, a citizen of the United States, residing at Parkston, in the county of Hutchinson and State of South Dakota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Curtain- Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to curtain stretchers, the object in view being to provide a simple device of the class described capable of easy operation for the purpose of effec tively stretching a curtain or the like, both longitudinally and transversely, the device, as a whole, being extensible, so as to be applicable to curtains of varying dimensions.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of a curtain stretcher, embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the hinges and the stretcher rod connected therewith. Fig. 4- is a longitudinal section through one of the extensible spreader bars. Fig. 5 is a similar section through one of the anchor bars. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the clamps. Fig. 7 is a cross section through one of the anchor bars and a clamp.

The stretcher contemplated in this invention consists of a substantially A-shaped frame, embodying two sets of parallel side bars or legs 1 and 2, connected at the top by hinges hereinafter more particularly described.

At their lower ends, the legs or side bars are adapted to be moved toward and away from each other, preparatory to stretching the curtain thereon, and these side bars or legs are connected by several sets of longitudinally movable spreader bars, each of which is composed of two sections 3 and 6 one of which is slotted, as shown at 5, and the other provided with bolts 6, said bolts passing through both bars and being provided with winged nuts 7 which may be tightened, after the bars have been extended to the suitable length. Each of the members 3 and 4 is also provided at one end with a bolt which extends through an opening in the adjacent leg of the frame, where it is held by means of a clamping nut 9. Ordinarily two sets of such spreader bars would be sufficient for each side of the frame, and if desired the upper spreader bars may be provided with corner braces 10, as shown, which may be permanently fastened at their opposite ends to the adjacent leg and spreader bar section, as illustrated.

In addition to the above, each of the legs or side bars is provided upon its outer edge with a series of pins 11, upon which the side margins of the curtains are adapted to be impaled, said pins also being adapted to support the anchor bars, hereinafter de scribed.

At their upper ends, the side bars or legs 1 and 2 are connected by hinges 12, each having'the hinge pin 13 thereof made in the form of an eye bolt which passes through the knuckles of the hinge and is secured in place by means of a nut 14. The eye 15 at the outer end of said bolt constitutes a guide for the stretcher bar or rod hereinafter referred to.

At a suitable distance below the upper ends of the legs or side bars there are arranged jointed and folding stays, each consisting of two bars 16 and 17 pivotally connected at 18 to the legs 1 and 2, and connected centrally at their inner ends by means of a bolt 19 or its equivalent. Also connected to the bolt 19 is the lower eX- tremity of a sliding stretcher rod 20 which passes upward through the guide formed by the eye bolt of the hinge above described. Mounted upon the upper extremities of these rods is a stretcher bar 21 which is moved upward and downward by the sliding movements of the rods 20, the movements of the latter being controlled by the folding and unfolding of the jointed stays, just described. It is also intended to provide the side bars or legs 1 and 2 with eX- tension legs or feet 22 for adapting the device, as a whole, to curtains of unusual length. These extension legs may be detached when not required in use.

Upon each side of the frame of the stretcher, I employ a longitudinally extensible anchor bar, each consisting of two tubular members 22 and 23 arranged to telescope or slide one within the other, and each of said tubular members is provided with a hole 25 adapting it to be placed upon the pins 11 in the manner illustrated in the drawings. 1 also use in connection with each anchor bar one or more clamps 26, each of which is slightly greater than a semi-cylinder in cross section, so as to frictionally embrace and clasp the anchor bar, each clamp being further provided at its edges with outwardly extending flanges 27 which facilitate the application of the clamps to the bar and their removal therefrom. These flanges 27 also prevent injury to the fabric of the curtain while being clamped upon the anchor bar and while held in a stretched condition upon the frame.

After the side bars or legs of the stretcher frame have been adjusted the proper distance apart, the end margins of the curtain are secured to the anchor bars on opposite sides of the frame, the central portion of the curtain passing over and resting upon the top stretcher bar. This is done while the lower ends of the legs or arms are moved to a considerable distance apart. Then, after the curtain is applied, in a manner set forth, the lower ends of the legs are forced toward each other, causing the jointed and folded stays to move upward at their cen ters. This thrusts up the rods and pushes upward on the stretcher bar, with the result that the curtain is thoroughly stretched in a longitudinal direction. After this, the side edges or margins of the curtain are drawn transversely and impaled upon the pins 11.

What is claimed is:

1. A stretcher, comprising two sets of legs connected at their top by hinges having eye bolts for hinge pins, central jointed stays connecting the sets of legs, stretcher rods connected with and actuated by said stays and passing through the eye bolts, and a stretcher bar carried by said rods.

2. A stretcher, comprising two sets of legs hinged together at the top, jointed stays connecting said sets of legs, and a stretcher bar connected with and actuated by said stays.

A stretcher, comprising two sets of legs hinged together at the top, ointed stays connecting said sets of legs, a stretcher bar connected with and actuated by said stays, and longitudinally extensible anchor rods attached to said legs.

4. A stretcher, comprising two sets of legs hinged together at the top, jointed stays connecting said sets of legs, a stretcher bar connected with and actuated by said stays, longitudinally extensible anchor rods detachably mounted on said legs, and clamps embracing said anchor rods.

5. A stretcher, comprising two sets of legs hinged together at the top, ointed stays connecting said sets of legs, a stretcher bar connected with and actuated by said stays, pins on the legs, and longitudinally extensible anchor rods, each consisting of telescopic-ally associated tubular members provided with holes to receive said pins.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. HANSEN. Witnesses WM. H. GLYNN, WM. SCHMIERER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

